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Each year, the [Travel Massive ITB Berlin Party](www.travelmassive.com/events/berlin-travel-massive-itb-party-2026-1060376387) brings together some of the brightest minds in global travel — and 2026 was no exception. Held at Generator Alexanderplatz, the evening welcomed over 350 travel industry professionals from around the world for a night of connection, conversation, and community.
The room was filled with professionals spanning tourism boards, OTAs, tour operators, travel tech, hospitality, and travel media — a true reflection of the breadth and diversity of the Travel Massive network. The energy was electric, and the conversations flowed well into the evening.
Whether you flew in from across the world or joined us from right here in Berlin, your presence is what makes this community so vibrant and worth celebrating. We are grateful for each and every one of you — and we can't wait to do it all again next year.
This year's event was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners. A heartfelt thank you to [James Lemon](www.travelmassive.com/@james-lemon) from [Stripe](stripe.com/industries/travel) for his continued support of Travel Massive events globally. Equal thanks go to [Denisa Kostolanyiova](www.travelmassive.com/@denisa), [Malcolm Archer](www.travelmassive.com/@malcolm-archer-5383176116), and the team at [Stay22](stay22.com) for their support of the travel bloggers and media members in our community, and to [Marie Lechantoux](www.travelmassive.com/@marie-lechantoux-7570557972) for her invaluable contributions on the event coordination side.
We are also grateful to [Garrett Brennan](www.travelmassive.com/@garrett-brennan-6302767037) from [FreedomPay](freedompay.com), who played a significant role in supporting our inaugural [Unconference](www.travelmassive.com/posts/photos-from-berlin-travel-massives-unconference-at-hotel-moa-700735215) in Berlin earlier this year, and to [Teresa Baumgarten](www.travelmassive.com/@teresa-baumgarten-2215820928) and the team at [ITB Berlin](www.itb.com/en) for their ongoing partnership and dedication to bringing the local travel industry together here in Berlin.
A special mention goes to the incredible team at [Generator Alexanderplatz](staygenerator.com/hostels/berlin/alexanderplatz?lang=en-GB) — Alex Bunea, Merten Yunus Ucar, Can Kapcik, Annajane Guzel, and the entire staff — for once again providing an outstanding venue and ensuring every guest had a memorable experience.
The party was hosted by [Bjorn Troch](www.travelmassive.com/@social_traveler), Travel Massive Berlin Chapter Leader, and co-host [Hannah Deans](www.travelmassive.com/@hannah-deans).
If you attended the event, we'd love to hear about your experience — drop a comment and share a little about your work in travel. We're a community built on mutual support, and every connection made at events like this helps move the industry forward.
*Interested in getting involved with future Travel Massive events in Berlin? Reach out to Bjorn and Hannah — they'd love to welcome you. Join the [Berlin Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/berlin-travel-massive-798824414) to stay updated on upcoming events and news, and see you soon at our next event.*
Putting together the yearly Travel Massive ITB party in Berlin is such an honor and a joy. I saw so many smiling faces and a room buzzing with so much positive energy!
Every year our party grows bigger and this year we got to welcome +350 travel industry professionals from all over the world.
Professionals working at tourism boards, OTA's, tour companies, travel tech, hospitality and travel influencer and creators joined us for an evening of mingling and connecting.
If you were there, feel free to leave a little message about your experience and your work in travel in the comments. We're all here to support each other and make the travel experience for our customers, readers, viewers and clients a little better each day.
As your host I want to thank everyone for joining and can't wait to do this again next year!
Safe travels and do get in touch if you'd like to be part of our Travel Massive events in Berlin, co-host Hannah Deans and I would love to welcome you.
Also give me a nudge if you want to work with travel influencer and creators in Europe or Berlin!
It looked like a wonderful evening — thanks for sharing these great photos!
A big thanks to everyone in the Travel Massive community who attended and all of our fantastic supporters that can make these big events possible.
PS: If you were looking for me... I had to pass on this year's ITB to attend my best friend's wedding back home in Australia — unfortunately there's no airplane fast enough (yet) to get from Berlin to Tasmania in enough time. See you all next year!
Yes! You were definitely missed.
A great event to see old and new friends. Went the other year at ITB.
What a night! We gathered at the beautiful Hotel Emblem in San Francisco for an energizing conversation about the future of travel — and the evening did not disappoint.
In partnership with the [Travel Tech Association](traveltech.org), we hosted an [all-woman panel](www.travelmassive.com/events/innovation-night-building-the-future-of-travel-presented-with-the-travel-tech-association-1033631143) of founders, innovators, and investors who brought sharp insights to topics ranging from fundraising and customer acquisition to the opportunities shaping travel tech's next chapter.
Moderated by [Laura Chadwick](www.linkedin.com/in/lauraknappchadwick/), President & CEO of the Travel Tech Association, the discussion sparked plenty of great conversation among the 25 travel professionals in the room.
Our expert panelists:
* [Hayley Melidonis](www.linkedin.com/in/hayleymelidonis/), CEO & Founder at [Bubbl](bubbl.co) — an AI powered community event travel platform.
* [Anjali Kakkad](www.linkedin.com/in/anjalikakkadp/), Lead TPM at Google Maps, and founder of Aligned Rewards.
* [Kavitha Ramaswamy](www.linkedin.com/in/kavitharam/), Chief of Staff at [Mercurius Media Capital](mmc.us), the first dedicated U.S. media-for-equity fund.
A huge thank you to our panelists for sharing so generously, to the [Travel Tech Association](traveltech.org) for sponsoring the event, all of our attendees for their contributions, and to the wonderful team at [Hotel Emblem](www.hotelemblem.com) for opening their doors to the Travel Massive community.
*Want to be part of conversations like this? Join the [San Francisco Bay Area Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/san-francisco-bay-area-travel-massive-826956232) community and our [Facebook group](www.facebook.com/groups/sanfranciscotravelmassive) to stay updated on upcoming events — and reach out if you'd like to get involved or support a future event. We'd love to hear from you.*
[Travel Massive Toronto](www.travelmassive.com/posts/toronto-travel-massive-156537040) welcomed March with a flavour-packed double FAM tour through two of the city's most beloved neighbourhoods — Chinatown and Kensington Market.
Hosted by [Culinary Adventure Co.](culinaryadventureco.com), media professionals and creators from across the GTA joined a guided walking tour that wove together local history and hands-on tastings from the neighbourhood's best family-run restaurants and food businesses. Highlights included a dim sum feast at Rol San, artisan cheese at Sanagan's, and tacos from Tacos 101 — a delicious cross-section of everything that makes this corner of Toronto so special. Members left with full stomachs, fresh stories, and a deeper appreciation for the communities behind the food.
Founded in 2011, Culinary Adventure Co. is Toronto's top-rated culinary tourism operator, welcoming thousands of hungry, curious guests each year through neighbourhood walking tours and immersive food and drink experiences. As a family-owned, LGBTQI+ business, CAC is committed to championing the small, independent food and drink businesses that give Toronto its character — with [award-winning tours](culinaryadventureco.com/city/toronto) spanning St. Lawrence Market, Chinatown, Kensington Market, Roncesvalles Village, King West, the Entertainment District, Little India, and Gerrard East.
At the events, Travel Massive welcomed journalists, bloggers, and publishers representing many brands including: Globe and Mail, Fodors, Broadview Magazine, Zoomer Magazine, PAX Media, Air India Inflight Magazine, Pink Play Mags, Parenting To Go, The GATE, Traveling Mitch/Ultimate Ontario, Hello Hema, Travel Mammal, Paths to Travel Magazine, DownshiftingPRO, and Travel with TMc.Amond the attendees were also content creators like Yashy Murphy, Alice Phan, David Kvelashvili, Tiffany Cruz, Foodiefork, Lotoya Jackson, and Venus & Maiku.
Thanks to everyone who attended, and to Culinary Adventure Co. for hosting us!
We had so much fun. Thanks again to Kevin and CJ for the awesome tour.
Glad you were able to join us!
Sorry, I missed it. Had too many commitments I couldn't rearrange. It looked so fun.
I was soooooo very sorry to miss this event. I was visiting Panama for a vacation with friends so it was impossible. I hope that you have a redo. My favourite kind of event
Hi Travel Massive community 👋
I’m Jake, founder of DocentPro.
We just launched a new feature called SpotFetch that turns any Instagram or TikTok post into saved travel locations automatically.
If you’ve ever saved a Reel because of a restaurant or café… and then never found the place again, that’s exactly the problem we built this for.
How it works:
1. Find a post on Instagram or TikTok
2. Tap Share → DocentPro
3. Our AI extracts the places and saves them to your travel collection
No more rewatching videos to figure out the location.
Would love feedback from fellow travel builders and creators here.
Try it here (link to app store):
link.docentpro.com/YvkiooE2e1b
very cool feature!
Thanks! It literally takes a minute to collect all the trending spots from Instagram and TikTok. You should try it.
Intrigued!
You should try out. It’s a game changer!
Love the idea . Great app . Going to check it out.
so many people love this feature. Appreciate it!
For years, India itineraries have started with the Golden Triangle; Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
It still works well for first-time visitors. The history is powerful, the monuments are iconic, and the logistics are easy. But something interesting is happening with repeat travellers.
Over the past year, I’ve had three separate enquiries from travellers who started the conversation the same way:
“I’ve already done Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. What else is there?”
Ten years ago, that question was rare. Today, I’m hearing it more often, especially from travellers who have visited India once before and want something different the second time.
One couple from Britain, who are mad crazy about India (having visited almost 9 times), told me they still wish to explore the unseen side of the country. They were open to experimenting with "Slow Travel" — something they had heard about but never really tried. So instead of moving every two nights, I curated a journey in a lesser-known region of India where they stayed five nights in one place
They spent time in vineyards, old towns, village homes, and local markets. Met and interacted with humble small-town locals, shared stories and created moments that felt authentic and not rushed.
Their feedback was simple: “This felt like an India we never imagined”.
The Golden Triangle still works, especially for first-time visitors, but I’m noticing a shift with repeat travellers. Many are less interested in monuments alone and more interested in context, community and slower pacing.
At our tour company Unfollow Travel (unfollowtravel.com) we're seeing growing interest in regions that feel slower and more lived-in; places where travellers can spend time with local farmers, visit archaeological sites without crowds, understand regional food traditions, or simply stay longer in one place.
Are others seeing similar patterns with repeat India clients?
For operators designing India journeys, this opens an important question: Are we still selling India as a checklist or are we ready to design it as a layered experience?
Very interesting question, Sayali. There are many perspective to this. From what I have observed, travelers have evolved and want to experiment. I have had conversations with travelers who spend two days in Jaipur but did not feel like visiting tourist attractions, there are many who pick what interest them, and so on. I'm so surprised to know that most mainstream travel companies want travelers to experience the cliche images that they might have seen and hammer this over and over again. The fact is travelers have evolved a lot. I certainly can share more.
Hi Sayali, great post that resonates strongly with me. The shift from checklist to context is real, and it's one of the most interesting design challenges in luxury India travel right now.
What I'd add is that slower, deeper itineraries actually demand more from the operator, not less. Spending five nights in one lesser-known region sounds simple but requires genuine local relationships, trusted introductions, and the kind of on-ground knowledge that only comes from years of working that specific geography. The logistics of 'slow' are often harder than the logistics of moving every two nights between well-trodden stops.
The good news is that repeat travellers who want this are also usually more trusting of their operator's judgment. They've done the monuments and they're ready to be led somewhere unexpected.
Curious to know, are you finding clients need much convincing to try a slower pace, or does the idea sell itself once you frame it right?
Thanks for sharing that perspective. I completely relate to what you’re saying about travellers becoming more selective with their time.
I’ve noticed something similar with repeat visitors. Many are not necessarily trying to “see everything” anymore. Instead, they’re choosing experiences that feel meaningful to them.
What you mentioned about people spending two days in Jaipur and not feeling the need to visit all the major attractions is interesting, because it reflects a shift from checklist travel to more personal exploration.
I also sometimes feel the industry still leans heavily on the familiar images of India that have worked for decades. Like sticking to the "syllabus". But travellers themselves seem to be moving beyond that.
Would love to hear more examples from your side. Especially what kind of experiences travellers are asking for now.
Hi Nupur,
I completely agree with your point.
Slow travel often looks simple from the outside, but in reality it demands much deeper groundwork from the operator. Staying longer in one region means the experience has to hold the traveller’s curiosity beyond the typical sightseeing circuit.
In my experience, once the idea is explained well, most repeat travellers don’t need much convincing. Many of them are actually relieved to hear that they don’t have to rush from one monument to another.
Thoughtful design is very important though. Including culture, food, landscapes, conversations with locals, and everyday life. When those elements come together, the slower pace starts making complete sense to them.
And as you rightly said, repeat travellers are often the most trusting. Having already seen the highlights, they’re much more open to letting the journey unfold in a less predictable way.
It is true that deep knowledge is necessary to plan such itineraries. One also needs to keep updated with the city since these days changes are very fast. Also important is understanding of the client and their preferences. Very few travel curators have deep knowledge of destinations.
From my experience, it is seasoned travelers who love the idea of slow and immersive travel. There are exceptions, of course.
Sayali,
I have been doing offbeat and more behind the scene walking tours in Jaipur. There are many travel curators who absolutely love the idea and have hopped on, going with travel trends and client preferences. I find it rather "curious" that some travel companies just want to "stick" to showing crowded streets and bazaars because this has been "fed" to people in certain nations. It is as if they have stereotyped travelers & things they want to experience. Based on experience, I can say with certainty travelers have individual preferences.
It reminds me of a conversation I have had a few years ago with an expat who shifted to India (she now runs a travel company but back then she didn't). We both agreed that mainstream travel industry prefers to stick to what has been "followed" for years. While travelers had evolved, the industry didn't. This has changed in the last few years. But it is small and new travel companies that are bringing in this change. The focus has shifted from ticking list to experiences.
What do you have to say, Sayali?
Since you asked what travelers are asking for, from what I understand people are open to new experiences. This includes workshops, walks, etc. Just to give an example, some are even curious about the lives of people, how city wakes up, etc. There are many untapped opportunities and authentic experiences to curate. Something that I have been thinking about!
I missed mentioning that there are many repeat travelers to Jaipur for sure. The city has become a big center for destination weddings, corporate events, art & craft workshops etc. The absolute numbers are rising and as for the repeat travel, there are no numbers to share but I do come across people who are frequent visitors to Jaipur (for leisure)
Rajasthan will never face any shortage of tourists. It is the image of Indian Tourism. That and the Taj Mahal. But the idea is how to bring the same travellers to the other unique regions of the country and introduce them to hyperlocal experiences.
Hi, I work on a travel planning app that has been around for quite some time. We found out that a lot of our users use the app to make the itinerary for other people. They can be travel guides, or they just like travel planning. Usually, they build the itinerary, then export it as a pdf and send it to the people actually going.
Our app is not really tailored for that and I'd like to change it. If you've ever been the one who plans trips for others, could you share:
How you shared the final plan?
What information did you included?
What was the most difficult thing to plan?
Is there anything you've found that actually works well?
Did you use any travel planning apps?
That's awesome. I plan a lot of trips for friends, and I'll set the plan up in my app and add them as users. I think the most important thing is access information for the lodging, and an up to date itinerary of when and where people need to be. I wrote an web admin panel to make this part easier if I'm just on my laptop.
The lodging piece can create a lot of stress for everyone if the information isn't clear and people show up later. I pretty much wrote this app to solve a lot of these frustrations. I would love to see your PDF building, I'm sure they must be beautiful if users are using the app like this. Will you be at the event on Thursday?
Thanks a lot for your reply and your insights. The lodging piece is interesting, we do not include that one specifically (apart from the general information such as address), but it's a great point that it is very important and we should integrate it better.
We have recently rebuilt the app from scratch and were surprised how many different ways there were to use the PDF - some people wrote nearly a new travel book there :)
Hi Barbara,
I design journeys for international travellers in India, so I often build itineraries for clients.
How I share it: Usually as a clean PDF that travellers can easily download and refer to during the trip. I try to maintain a balance of striking visuals (from my personal collection) and text, with a consistent colour tone so the document remains engaging.
What I include:
A short context about each place, a day-by-day flow, detailed information on local experiences (as I focus on experiential travel), hotel details, transfers, inclusions, exclusions, and booking information.
Most difficult part:
Balancing structure with flexibility. Travellers want clarity but don’t want the trip to feel overly scheduled.
What works well:
When the itinerary reads like a journey rather than just a checklist of places.
Tools:
I personally prefer Canva because it allows creative flexibility and produces a professional-looking output without needing design expertise.
Thank you Sayali, that is very interesting. If I understand it correctly, you do not share any maps with the customers, is it right? It seems to me that we are obsessed with maps, but obviously not all the people are :-)
You're right, Barbara. None of my clients have ever asked for a map, and I’ve actually never included one in my tour decks. I tend to focus more on storytelling and presenting the journey as honestly as possible.
A few things I usually follow:
-Portrait format over landscape
-Original images from my personal collection (never stock or Google images)
-Casual, natural language instead of adjective-heavy marketing text
-Clear highlights of the accommodation with strong focus on the local experiences
-Minimal text, except for the itinerary and inclusions/exclusions
I’ve noticed travellers respond much better to this format than lengthy brochures. Strong visuals do half the work of selling the journey, and with less text people tend to immerse themselves more in the experience.
Honestly, I feel maps are really only useful for things like trekking routes.
That is really interesting. How do your customers navigate from one place to another? Are they on their own at any time of their trip?
I totally agree about including minimal text. But I was surprised when some of our customers complained that there was a limit for amount of text you can add to one place (I never came close to the limit myself).
It depends on the client really. I do most of the contact by video chat, then go back to them with a summary in email and then back and forward like that, sometimes plenty of emails, but more often video—find that more effective in general, easier to get to know them and them me.
Maps rarely come up, I think I’ve only ever supplied an online map once—certainly not a frequently requested feature. That said, I sometimes send them a pic of a hand sketch for multi-country trips as that’s the easiest way to do really broad strokes start of call stuff—online maps=too much noise and junk piled in.
In most cases would be an day-by-day itinerary with links for further reading, suggested hotels etcetera (I don’t book anything). Trips are typically two to three weeks, though occasionally far longer, it varies. I typically work with a fold-out map, pen and paper then type it into an email client, occasionally in word, never in PDF.
Most difficult aspect I think is getting people to be honest about what they really want. Once you start to break through that barrier (why I find the calls so important) the rest is pretty easy—food invariably either a nightmare or a breeze, the hotels typically very easy.
Three things I guess that has been surprisingly helpful:
1. If they send me an excel spreadsheet (always a bad sign!) and if it is military expedition-style I send it back ask them to delete half of it and send it back to me. It’s a good way of prompting them to prioritise a bit in their own mind—and hopefully learn a bit of geography in the process!
2. Knowing when to simply say “No I can’t help you” has been a huge time saver for me—and them no doubt! Not interested in doing this with someone where every day of the itinerary is a battle/argument.
3. A lot of people don’t really need a trip planner—they just want to show their plan to someone who knows their way around and who can say with confidence “that’s a good trip, there’s little I’d change”. I get a lot of these, I don’t charge in cases like this, and they mostly come back when they really do need help, and that’s nice.
Cheers
Thank you, this has been incredibly helpful. You approach the planning process in a very different way than we do and it is very interesting to see that. I found the part about maps especially interesting - that has been one of our blind spots, as our app is very map-based and it would be probably good for our users, if we work without the map in some cases.
Why is food either a nightmare or a breeze? Do you recommend your customers what restaurants to visit or do you suggest food to try?
Again depends on the client, but I think food in particular is an area where it helps to get people to be honest with themselves about what they really want—people sometimes say “we want to eat local” but have a warped idea of what that really entails—and what they really may mean is “we want local fare that’s been modulated to fit with a foreign palate”.
Also with food they often come in with very specific recommendations that I frequently don’t agree with—it’s an extremely subjective area, and just because Aunt Nancy ate there two years ago and loved it doesn’t make it a great place to eat in the greater scheme of things—though this is rarely a hill I choose to die on!
If an area is known for some local speciality, then I’d probably mention it if it’s in tune with what they’re after, but as for specific places to stuff face, not so much—it varies.
Thanks a lot! We can see this in the data as well - some customers are extremely particular about restaurants, others just let it flow. But food in general is something that I would love to focus on and offer better experience, as it is a big part of exploring new places.
Thanks to [Jessica Opoku-Amoah](/@virtualnomads) for this week's event recap from our [How travel professionals can use A.I. to automate their workflows](www.travelmassive.com/events/how-travel-professionals-can-use-a-i-to-automate-their-workflows-4270698353) workshop led by [Rain Takahashi](www.travelmassive.com/@ra_raines). Photos by [Kateryna T](www.travelmassive.com/@katerryna).
*Join the [Toronto Travel Massive](www.travelmassive.com/posts/toronto-travel-massive-156537040) to stay updated about upcoming events including workshops, fam trips, and networking evenings for professionals, marketers and creators based in Toronto.*
Travel Massive Toronto gathered a cross-section of the industry at Wellington Event Venue at The Well for a focused, practical masterclass on using AI to improve workflows. The masterclass was hosted by Rain Takahashi, founder of Jauntin' and Travel Massive Toronto chapter co-lead.
In the room were tech startups and businesses like AlbBnb, Mountain Equipment Company, Snowbird Advisor, and Tidesquare; tourism representatives from Destination Ontario; freelance travel journalists and writers from Planet Blue Adventure, Paths to Travel Magazine, See The Room, Vacation.FYI, Virtual Nomads, and Dog Trotting; and travel advisors from Quintessential Travel Group, ROOT44 Travel, The Travel Agent Next Door, Trevello, and Karibu Adventures.
The diversity mattered. AI is not just a marketing tool. It is touching operations, sales, content, research, and client management across the travel ecosystem. Here are a few masterclass takeaways:
1. AI Is No Longer Optional
The tone of the room was clear: this is not a future conversation. It is a now conversation. Travel professionals who learn how to use AI strategically will respond faster, produce more consistently, and free up time for higher-value work. Those who ignore it risk falling behind, not because AI replaces them, but because it increases output and efficiency. Speed matters in travel. So does clarity.
2. Start With What Drains You
The most actionable advice of the night was simple: automate the predictable. If a task follows a format, it can likely be streamlined. Examples discussed included:
• First-draft itinerary outlines
• Standard client emails
• Proposal structures
• Caption writing and blog summaries
• CRM note organization
• Commission tracking categories
Saving even 20 minutes a day compounds quickly. Over a month, that’s hours redirected toward client acquisition, partnerships, or creative work.
3. Content Volume Isn’t the Goal — Systems Are
For writers, YouTubers, and content creators in the room, the discussion went deeper than “use AI to write posts.” The sharper insight: AI works best inside a system. One long-form blog can become a newsletter, LinkedIn post, YouTube script outline, and caption series, but only if there is structure behind it. Automation amplifies what already exists. It doesn’t replace strategy.
4. The DRIP Matrix Forces Honest Time Decisions
Inspired by Dan Martell’s Buy Back Your Time, the DRIP framework encouraged participants to audit their workload:
• Eliminate – Low revenue, low motivation
• Replace – Revenue-generating but draining
• Invest – Motivating but low revenue
• Scale – High revenue, high motivation
The practical takeaway: not everything deserves your time. AI is most powerful when applied to tasks that free you to focus on “Scale” activities the work that drives revenue and growth.
5. Prompting Is a Professional Skill
A strong reminder: AI output reflects input quality. Clear role assignment, defined tone, context, and specific constraints should be a part of the prompt. Treating AI like a vague search engine leads to generic output. Treating it like a trained assistant produces sharper results. For advisors and writers alike, prompting is quickly becoming a core digital skill.
6. Automation Supports Trust — It Doesn’t Replace It
In a relationship-driven industry, technology should create more space for human connection, not less. AI can draft, it can summarize, and it can organize. But discernment, taste, cultural nuance, and client trust remain human advantages. The professionals who combine operational efficiency with strong personal relationships will stand out.
For those who missed the session, the message was direct: AI is not about cutting corners. It’s about working smarter.
The travel professionals who build systems now — instead of reacting later — will be better positioned for sustainable growth in an increasingly fast-moving industry.
Thank you for this summary Jessica, loved all of the examples and conversation at the event.
Our agency is currently in a stage of development and expansion, especially after our recent move from the USA to the UK. At this moment, we operate under a whitelabel OTA model, where all travel services (hotels, flights, packages, tours, activities, and tickets) are fulfilled through trusted third‑party providers and partner platforms.
As part of this new chapter, we’re looking to obtain the free IATA TIDS registration (www.iata.org/en/services/travel-agency-program/tids/). We see it as an important step because many suppliers, partner programs, and affiliate platforms require agencies to be registered with a globally recognised organisation in order to access their programs.
At this moment, other internationally recognised accreditations are still out of reach for us, either because of the high subscription costs or because the requirements don’t yet match our current stage of growth. TIDS seems like the most realistic and strategic option for us right now.
One of the requirements for IATA TIDS is providing a letter of recommendation from a company already recognised by IATA. This is the part where we’re a bit stuck.
Does anyone know how to obtain this letter, or who we might approach for it? If someone in this community is able to issue such a letter, or can share how they managed this step themselves, it would be incredibly helpful. We’re also open to hearing about alternative certifications or recognitions that serve a similar purpose for small but growing agencies.
Thank you very much for any guidance, ideas, or experiences you can share!
Our latest issue puts Uzbekistan in the spotlight, tracing the legacy of the Silk Road through Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand — destinations where heritage, architecture and cultural depth redefine modern travel.
But this edition goes beyond one story.
We also explore:
• The green city of Namur (VisitWallonia)
• A strategic stopover in Istanbul (ODS Turkey)
• The sun-meets-snow contrast of the Alpes Maritimes & Côte d’Azur (Côte d’Azur France Tourisme)
• Utrecht through a fresh local lens (Utrecht & Partners)
• And international collaborations including Indochina Sails in Vietnam
This issue was made possible through strong partnerships and trusted collaborations within the travel industry.
As an independent travel media platform, we are proud to connect destinations, brands and travelers through curated storytelling focused on affordable luxury and meaningful experiences.
The magazine is now available in English and Dutch.
If you are a tourism board, hotel group or travel brand looking for authentic storytelling and strategic visibility — let’s connect.
👉 Discover the new edition here: www.destinationexplorer.world/magazine
Hey! 👋
I built a free web tool to make Airbnb search results easier to review and compare. 🏠✨
The story behind BestBnB
I’m a software developer and frequent traveler who got tired of comparing Airbnb options manually across dozens of tabs. I have pretty specific criteria for places where I can actually sleep well, like blackout curtains, real quiet at night, a good mattress, and other details often buried in reviews. I used to dig through reviews manually and track everything in Google Sheets just so I wouldn’t forget what I found. When I travel with my family, the number of required alignments grows, making the whole process much more time-consuming.
I built BestBnB because I wanted a faster way to import search results, compare listings side by side, and keep notes before booking. It started as a personal solution to my own travel planning pain, and then I realized other travelers might find it useful too.
🔗 How it works:
1️⃣ Paste an Airbnb search URL (must be a search, not an individual listing)
2️⃣ Run an import
3️⃣ Review listings with extra controls
✅ What you can do:
• Add notes 📝
• Like/star listings ⭐️
• Hide options you don’t want 🙈
• Save search history and come back later 🕓
🚀 No signup needed to try it.
ℹ️ Not affiliated with Airbnb.
🔗 Link: bestbnb.cc
If you try it, I’d love your feedback on what would make it more useful for trip planning. 💬
HERE'S THE NEXT 5 UPCOMING EVENTS:
Stripe is pleased to host a strategic industry forum at our New York City headquarters, presented in partnership with Travel Massive.
Join Stripe leadership and a curated group of senior travel executives on Wednesday, March 11, for an evening of great discussion exploring the extraordinary impact that agentic commerce is having, and will have, on the travel & hospitality industry.
Connect with fellow builders and executive stakeholders to gain expert perspectives into the macro forces reshaping our sector—from the re-engineering of market dynamics driven by Agentic AI to the infrastructure-level implications for distribution, product discovery, and new business models.
👉 Registration Protocol: Attendance is strictly limited to ensure a focused, high-value networking environment for senior leaders. Please join the waitlist to request a seat; invitations will be confirmed by the Stripe team as capacity allows.
Our panel of speakers include:
Andrew Beckmann, Head of Travel GTM & Partnerships, Stripe (Host and Moderator)
Kevin Ziegler, Vice President, Global Distribution, Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Seth Borko, Head of Research, Skift
Sanjay Vakil, CEO of Directbooker
Ernest Lee, Chief Commercial Officer, EOS Hospitality
Schedule of events:
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Executive Arrival, Registration, and Networking
6:30 PM – 6:35 PM: Opening Remarks from Stripe: The Future of Travel Infrastructure
6:35 PM – 7:05 PM: Panel Discussion: Navigating the Shift to Agentic Booking
7:05 PM – 7:15 PM: Audience Q&A
7:15 PM – 8:00 PM: Reception and Further Discussion
About Stripe
Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform for businesses. From global travel enterprises to emerging platforms, millions of companies use Stripe to accept payments, optimize revenue, and accelerate new business models. In travel and hospitality, Stripe solves for the complexity of global money movement, allowing leaders to abstract away legacy friction and focus on building the future of the guest journey.
Inquiries: For questions regarding registration or attendance, please reach out to tom@travelmassive.com
Compliance & Security: Please note that registration data will be shared with Stripe to facilitate secure access to their
headquarters. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for entry.
Stay22 Unpacked: The $1 Billion Blueprint for Travel Content Success
Calling all creators, publishers and travel brands...
🚀 Learn exactly what’s driving real revenue for travel creators in 2026
👉 Watch LIVE on Tuesday 17th March at 2pm UK (9am NYC / 3pm CET)
🎬 A recording will be available afterwards for registered participants.
Why you should join, and who you'll hear from
The travel creator economy is shifting fast. In 2025, 5,000+ creators drove $1 billion in travel bookings through Stay22 — despite Google updates, AI saturation, and volatile traffic. So what's actually working?
Join us for a data-packed session unpacking the new Stay22 Affiliate Trends Report: which destinations are driving demand, which cities convert best, and why "where to stay" and itinerary content are outperforming everything else for affiliate revenue.
⭐ Feuza Reis (Founder of Fuse Travels & Partnerships Manager at Stay22) brings a rare dual perspective — as an Italy-focused creator and a monetisation strategist working with thousands of publishers, she has firsthand insight into what's actually converting in 2026. Learn more at fusetravels.com/en/
Hosted by Matthew Gardiner (@matthewgardiner) — Director of Travel Massive London and strategic communications leader — who'll guide the conversation and make sure you leave with practical, actionable takeaways.
Don't guess what's next in travel. Get the data, the strategy, and the insider insight.
Topics we'll cover
✅ What’s actually working in 2026
💻 Practical examples of new content trends
🇮🇹 What destinations are driving demand
📈 Which cities are converting at the highest rates
💬 Your content questions, answered
Reserve your spot now to watch live.
The recording will be available afterwards.
Did you miss the Stay22 Affiliate Trends Report?
Get your copy today at hubs.ly/Q045pkkl0
The innate impulse to explore has been woven into the human story since day one. For some, it has evolved into the mission of a modern nomad – those driven by a compulsion to visit every country on earth – a mission now termed “extreme travel.” While these travellers might collect the physical markers of their journey, like magnets and ink-heavy passport stamps, their true pursuit is much deeper: the acquisition of indelible experiences that remain long after the borders are crossed.
This panel of three extreme travellers will explore this growing segment of travel, where these modern-day explorers travel to countries like Afghanistan, Libya, Haiti, and others. Why do they pursue this audacious quest? What counts as visiting a country? How do they get the most difficult visas? How do they assess security and risk factors? What were their most dangerous situations? What were their most cherished and least favorite countries? And finally, what were some of their unforgettable culinary experiences?
Panelists:
Ric Gazarian is the founder of the Extraordinary Travel Festival (October in Bangkok) and a globe-spanning explorer, storyteller, and community builder whose work has centered on the pursuit of understanding the world through travel. Since 2009, Ric has been on a mission to visit every country on earth, a journey defined by deep curiosity, human connection, and unguarded experiences in places both extraordinary and overlooked. He has been to 190 countries.
Shigeki (Shagg) Makino worked for 20 years for investment management companies in Tokyo, Hong Kong, London and Boston. He has been to 164 countries so far, with extensive time living in 10 of them. He is focused on visiting the remaining UN member nations over the next few years.
Jenna Pava was born in Russia and moved to the United States with her family when she was six. She became a teacher, a career she loves for the impact she makes in the classroom, as well as the freedom it gives her to travel during school breaks. In 2023, she moved to Bangkok. Jenna has visited 188 UN countries and continues her pursuit of reaching all 193, blending her love of teaching with her passion for global exploration.
Moderated by Imtiaz Muqbil, executive editor of Travel Impact Newswire.
Where:
Foreign Correspondents Club
P floor, 518/5 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini
BTS: Chit Lom
Tickets:
FCCT Members free, non-members 450 baht; students and local media with ID 150 baht
Link to event pageAfter a hugely successful inaugural year, Family Traveller Live is returning to Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on 21–22 March 2026 for an unforgettable weekend of active family adventure.
Complimentary Tickets for Travel Massive Members: For the first 100 bookings. Partner code 'TMFREE'
Get ready for a family day out like no other. Over two action-packed days you can:
➤ Zipline across Allianz Stadium.
➤ Abseil at the home of English Rugby.
➤ Try your hand at Pickleball, Drumba, Rugby Skills and so much more.
➤ Let the little ones loose in soft-play.
➤ Step behind the scenes on the England changing room tour.
➤ Train like an astronaut and brave the multi-access trainer.
➤ Tackle the surf-simulator
➤ Meet-and-greet with the PAW Patrol. Chase will be on the case on Saturday 21st March. Marshall will be fired up and ready on Sunday 22nd March
➤ The first ever rooftop walk of Allianz Stadium.
➤ And discover the world’s best family travel destinations, all under one roof.
Find out more about the event: live.familytraveller.com
This is the ultimate chance to spark your family’s wanderlust, get active, and experience something truly special together.
Tickets are limited. Don’t miss out: familytraveller.seetickets.com/event/family-traveller-live/allianz-stadium/3531997?offercode=TMFree
As a member of Travel Massive you can enjoy complimentary entry tickets with our exclusive partner code: TMFREE. Available for the first 100 bookings.
We can’t wait to see you there!
🚀🌍 And if you are a travel brand ready to put your destination, product, or experience in front of a highly engaged, affluent, family audience, you can discover the opportunities to exhibit or sponsor a bespoke activation at the show by contacting Matthew Gardiner: matthew@travelmassive.com.
Link to event pageJoin us on Tuesday, 24 March, for a presentation on the Vietnamese travel habits and networking with fellow tourism industry professionals.
This event will take place at The Cloud lounge, located on the 48th floor of Vinpearl Landmark 81 Autograph Collection, offering stunning views of the Saigon skyline.
Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection is kindly offering all our guests a complimentary welcome drink, snacks, and a special happy hour menu. Attendees will also have a chance to take a tour of the hotel facilities, including guest rooms and the Presidential Suite, the highest suite in town, located on the 68th floor. The hotel’s most exclusive accommodation features expansive living spaces, refined interiors, and breathtaking views from the highest hotel in Vietnam. Please register your interest upon arrival.
Speaker
Richard Burrage | Founder, Cimigo
Richard Burrage has thirty years of experience in market research and consulting. Richard has spent the last twenty-five years in Vietnam, assisting in developing and building numerous brands to achieve leadership positions. Richard is the Founder of the market research agency Cimigo: www.cimigo.com.
Presentation
Cimigo’s Vietnamese travel habits 2025 study paints a detailed portrait of how Vietnamese travellers are choosing, experiencing, and planning travel, and why destinations must now localise, personalise, and differentiate to stay relevant.
Agenda
5 pm - 5:30 pm: Welcome drink and networking
5:30 pm - 6 pm: Presentation: Vietnamese Travel Habits report
6 pm - 7:30 pm: Networking and tours of the property
📍 Location:
The Cloud @ Vinpearl Landmark 81 Autograph Collection - 48th Floor, 720A Điện Biên Phủ, Phường 22, Bình Thạnh, Ho Chi Minh City
⏰ Time:
5 pm - 7:30 pm
This meetup is for everyone involved in the travel industry, including hotels, tour operators, travel agents, DMCs, travel media, and content creators.
Please note that the number of tickets is limited; register in advance if you are going to attend.
Looking forward to seeing you on March 24th!
Link to event pageHello Toronto Travel Massive community,
Stop paying full price for flights and start leveraging your everyday personal and business expenses to allow you to fly affordably anywhere in the world.
First, you will hear from Tara McAndrew, and expert on all things on points and miles. In her introductory workshop to using points and miles, Tara will share her insights on how to make your expenses pay for your travel.
After a short break we will welcome community members to share their tips and tricks in a series of 5-minute lightning talks. Have a few tips you'd like to share? Submit your 5-minute talk idea: forms.gle/nyzQDznfw12htfoA6
⏰ Schedule of activities:
6:00 PM: Arrival
6:15 PM: Welcome
6:30 PM: Presentation by Tara McAndrew
7:00 PM: Break
7:15 PM: Community lightning talks
7:45 PM: Open room Q&A
8:00 PM: Event ends
Meet your speakers: Tara McAndrew
IG, FB, YT @TravelwithTMc | www.TravelwithTMc.com
Podcast: travellingthroughlifepod.buzzsprout.com/2455874/follow
Tara is a Canadian polyglot, a connector and storyteller, and small business owner. She has been living and travelling around the world for over a decade. She has lived in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and her campervan Betty White, and travelled to 6 out of 7 continents. By using points and miles she has saved thousands of dollars each year on flights.
In addition to blogging on her website Travel with TMc, speaking engagements, and podcasting on Travelling Through Life: A Podcast on the Go. Tara is on a mission to help Canadians affordably fly through points and miles coaching. She offers private 1-on-1 consultations, workshops, and an online course to help people harness their spending to pay themselves to travel too.
About the venue sponsor:
Nieuport Aviation is the owner and operator of the passenger terminal at the award-winning Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Learn more at www.nieuport.com
💬 Join the conversation:
• Travel Massive | @travelmassiveTO #TravelMassiveToronto
• Nieuport Aviation | IG: @nieuportaviation | LinkedIn @Nieuport Aviation
• Tara McAndrew | IG: @TravelwithTM
🎟️ Event registration: There is a maximum capacity, so make sure to register. If there is a waitlist, we would encourage you to still sign up in case someone is no longer able to come. If there are any cancellations, we will add people from the waitlist. In the meantime, please have a look at your Travel Massive profile and take a moment to make sure it is up to date.
👉 Please note:
* All guests must be registered to attend.
* No +1s please.
* Must be an active member of the travel industry to attend with an approved and updated profile on www.travelmassive.com. Please make sure to describe what your role is in the travel industry and add associated social media and website links.
👉 Cancellations: If you are no longer able to attend, please try to release your ticket 48 hrs (2 days) before the event so others can attend. Thank you for understanding.
🚨As these events are limited capacity, we have a 3-strike no show policy.
📸 This event will be photographed by a member of a Travel Massive team or/and our event partner. If you do not wish to be photographed please let us know upon arrival.
Land acknowledgment
We wish to acknowledge the Ancestral Traditional Territories of the Ojibway, the Anishnabe and, in particular, the Mississauga’s of the New Credit whose territories we gather on. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.
Link to event pageHere's the 10 latest classified ads:
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